Ready for some fun in the sun with your favorite canine? Check out the top spots in Honolulu to let your pup get some exercise.
Are you a fan of being outside? Do you love fun in the sun? Are you pining for the island breeze and ocean views? Honolulu is an excellent spot for you and your fur baby. Whether you're considering moving to this island paradise or already living this dream, it's a great place to be for any dog-loving human.
With the growth of pet parenting exploding across the country, there are so many dog-friendly environments to explore with your pup. And Honolulu—really all of Oahu—is no exception to this new reality. If you're looking for fun outdoor spaces, there are many fantastic dog-friendly hiking trails, dog parks, beaches, and off-leash areas where you and your pup can take in that outdoor life together.
Are you interested in more dog-friendly things to do in Honolulu? Perhaps a lunch date with your pup? Honolulu has plenty of options to grab a bite—or drink—and then hit a trail, beach, or even an off-leash park. And the best part about living on this island is the speed of growth of these dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and breweries.
And while you're looking for spaces and places that can take care of your dog's needs, don't forget about locating the best pet care possible for your precious pup. Click here to enter your zip code, and we'll help you find the best dog walkers, cat sitters, pet groomers, and more... All in and around the city of Honolulu, HI.
But if you're ready to catch some rays, and get some exercise with your furry best friend, let's check out the best dog parks and off-leash areas in Honolulu.
The 8 Best Parks, Dog Parks, and Off-Leash Areas in Honolulu, HI:
Aihualama and Nu'uanu Loop
Mililani Dog Park
Forest City Dog Park
Diamond Head Bark Park
Hawaii Kai Dog Park
Moanalua Community Park
Ford Island Dog Park
Judd Trail
Aihualama and Nu'uanu Loop — Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
The Aihualama and Nu'uanu Loop trail is another great trail to chase a waterfall. It is a popular dog-friendly trail, but you must keep your dog on a leash. Your dog will be in their glory with everything there is to sniff along the way. This trail is located inside Round Top Forest Reserve as well. It takes you to Manoa Falls, but this specific route adds a little more and creates a nice loop that goes deeper into the forest.
You'll find yourself hiking 5.8 miles, and it takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. This is a great hike but more challenging with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. And you'll be hiking through bamboo, climbing up tree roots, along a creek, and you'll get the chance to take a dip in a waterfall pool. The effort is definitely worth it!
Mililani Dog Park — 95-1069 Ukuwai St, Mililani, HI 96789
The Mililani Dog Park is a neighborhood off-leash dog park located in the middle of the island. While this isn't right in Honolulu, it is a short 18-mile drive from downtown. This dog park has an excellent reputation for its pet parents, but it's also surrounded by a great neighborhood with sidewalks to take your pup for a stroll in case your dog gets tired of the dog park atmosphere.
This dog park is fully fenced-in and has a doggy drinking fountain for your pup's convenience. And for the humans, it has benches, shade trees, and beautiful views. This area has a great family-friendly atmosphere and will be a tremendous weekly stop for you and your pup.
This park is open during daylight hours with the exception of Wednesday morning when they are performing weekly maintenance.
Forest City Dog Park — 3818 Radford Dr, Honolulu, HI 96818
Forest City Dog Park is an off-leash dog park in Honolulu, HI. It has two separate areas—one section for dogs under 35 lbs and one for the big dogs. Both areas are double-gated for safe entry and exit. The park's overall size is 0.75 acres. There are water fountains, small canine agility ramps, plus other training structures. They have benches for the pet parents and shade for your pup to relax. This park is free and open 24 hours a day. But remember, this dog park is for Forest City residents only.
Diamond Head Bark Park — 4155 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816
No list of best dog parks in Honolulu can be made without including the first dog park that paved the way for the rest. Diamond Head Bark Park was first established in 1998 and was the very first dog park in all of Hawaii in honor of a pup named "Buster." This park has since been an island favorite, and every pup after ought to pay homage to Buster.
This dog park has a double-gated entrance for safety and convenience. It has mature trees offering plenty of shade and several benches for the humans visiting. It does have a water fountain for your pup, and a pet waste station to help you clean up after them. Overall this is a great park and one that every Honolulu pet parent ought to be thankful for coming into existence.
Hawaii Kai Dog Park — 234 Keahole St, Honolulu, HI 96825
The Hawaii Kai Dog Park is an off-leash dog park with room for small dogs to run, separate from the big dogs. This park has canine and human drinking fountains, plenty of pet waste stations throughout, and benches for you to rest while your fur baby romps around the park. There is plenty of shade and even picnic tables. Volunteers care for this park, like most dog parks, and supply this one with tennis balls from time to time. This park is open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM and is free for visitors.
Moanalua Community Park — 2900 Moanalua Rd, Honolulu, HI 96819
Moanalua Community Park is a dog-friendly park with an off-leash dog area. This off-leash area is one of the earliest "dog parks" inside the city of Honolulu. It offers plenty of space for your pup to romp around. There are picnic tables, fresh drinking water, and plenty of pet waste stations.
The park is very well-maintained and is cleaned often. In addition, the dogs that visit seem to be well-socialized, and the pet parents are very observant—which helps make a dog park thrive. Overall, this dog park is super convenient to Honolulu, clean, and frequented by great canines and humans alike.
Ford Island Dog Park — 1275 Saratoga Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96818
Ford Island Dog Park is an off-leash dog park located inside of a military base—meaning you'll need a military ID to access this park. If you have one or can go with someone who does, this park is fantastic! It offers excellent views of Pearl Harbor and is a huge space. It has benches for the pet parents, well-maintained grass, and a consistent breeze. The park offers separate areas for smaller dogs and larger dogs. And while they do have water fountains, they have been down for quite some time. So make sure to bring some water with you, just in case.
Judd Trail — Judd Trail, Honolulu, HI 96817
This isn't an off-leash dog park, but it is a great one-mile, dog-friendly leashed hiking trail that you'll certainly love to explore with your pup. This trail might do the trick if you need to find a little more nature. Inside the Round Top Forest Reserve, you'll find the Judd Trail, with plenty of opportunities for you and your canine to get into the stream and check out some waterfalls.
This trail is generally considered a moderately challenging hike and takes about 30 minutes to complete. This trail also allows for some splashing in the water!
The Best Dog Parks in Honolulu, HI
With this many wonderful dog parks, it's obvious to see that Honolulu is on the rise for pet parents and their precious pups. If you and your canine choose to make Honolulu your home, you'll never run out of fun places and things to do together.
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.